Top 5 goals from the 2022 FIFA World Cup

The 2022 FIFA World Cup didn’t fail to disappoint, providing some jaw-dropping upsets, iconic performances and a historic final. Qatar 2022 also had the most goals ever in a single World Cup (172), and as the tournament draws to a close, we countdown our top five strikes from the tournament.

5. Neymar vs Croatia, Quarter-Finals

Neymar had his moment in the sun for Brazil in the quarter-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with the PSG forward breaking the deadlock for the Selecao in the first half of extra time with an incredible team goal. The Brazilian showed off his incredible control in tight spaces as he exchanged some neat interplay with Lucas Paqueta in the box before skipping past Dominik Livakovic and sending the ball into the roof of the net.

4. Vincent Aboubakar vs Serbia, Group Stage

Serbia’s 3-3 draw with Cameroon in the group stages was one of the most entertaining matches in the tournament, and Vincent Aboubakar’s audacious chip for the African side will go down as one of the best goals of the World Cup. The striker ran in behind the Serbian defence before out-foxing the goalkeeper with an incredible scooped shot that bounced into the net and started the Cameroonian comeback.

3. Lionel Messi vs Mexico, Group Stage 

Lionel Messi saved Argentina from the brink of elimination with his moment of magic against Mexico in their second group fixture. After losing to Saudi Arabia in their opener, Argentina had to win their next game to ensure their survival at this World Cup, and Messi popped up with the winning goal for his country in the 64th minute to remove the tension. The 35-year-old collected the ball on the edge of the area before rifling an unstoppable shot through of sea of bodies to get Argentina’s World Cup-winning campaign underway.

2. Richarlison’s second goal vs Serbia, Group Stage

In terms of pure skill and ability, nothing comes close to Richarlison’s unbelievable strike against Serbia in Brazil’s World Cup opener. The Tottenham striker nonchalantly lifted the ball in the air from Vinicius Jr’s cross before producing an extraordinary bicycle kick to send the ball into the bottom corner and kickstart the Selecao’s tournament with a bang.

1. Kylian Mbappe’s second goal vs Argentina, Final

Considering the skill, moment, and situation, the best goal of the tournament at the 2022 FIFA World Cup was Kylian Mbappe’s sublime volley against Argentina in the final. Mbappe’s goal will live long in the memory as one of the most iconic strikes in World Cup history as his effort drew France level at 2-2 to send the tie to extra time. Just 97 seconds after scoring his opener, Mbappe doubled his tally with an unstoppable volley past Emiliano Martinez that brought France back to life in the final and set up one of the most memorable World Cup finishes of all time.